Valproic Acid Side Effects

More common

Black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

blood in the urine or stools

confusion

cough

crying

delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness

diarrhea

difficult or labored breathing

dysphoria

false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts

false or unusual sense of well-being

feeling of unreality

fever

general feeling of discomfort or illness

headache

hoarseness

joint pain

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

mental depression

muscle aches and pains

nausea

nervousness

painful or difficult urination

pinpoint red spots on the skin

poor insight and judgment

problems with memory or speech

quick to react or overreact emotionally

rapid weight gain

rapidly changing moods

runny nose

sense of detachment from self or body

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

shivering

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

sore throat

sweating

tightness in the chest

tingling of the hands or feet

trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

trouble recognizing objects

trouble sleeping

trouble thinking and planning

trouble walking

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

unusual weight gain or loss

vomiting

Less common

Abnormal dreams

absence of or decrease in body movement

anxiety

bloody nose

bloody or cloudy urine

blurred vision

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

change in personality

change in walking and balance

changes in patterns and rhythms of speech

chest pain

clumsiness or unsteadiness

cold sweats

constipation

dark urine

deep or fast breathing with dizziness

degenerative disease of the joint

difficulty with moving

discouragement

dizziness

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

dry mouth

excessive muscle tone

fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

fear

feeling of warmth or heat

feeling sad or empty

flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck

frequent urge to urinate

heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding

increased need to urinate

indigestion

irritability

lack of appetite

lack of coordination

large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin

leg cramps

lip smacking or puckering

loss of bladder control

loss of interest or pleasure

loss of strength or energy

multiple swollen and inflamed skin lesions

muscle pain or stiffness

muscle tension or tightness

normal menstrual bleeding occurring earlier, possibly lasting longer than expected

numbness of the feet, hands and around mouth

pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

passing urine more often

pounding in the ears

puffing of the cheeks

rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue

rapid weight gain

restlessness

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

shakiness and unsteady walk

slurred speech

small red or purple spots on the skin

sweating

swollen joints

tiredness

trouble with concentrating

trouble with speaking

twitching

uncontrolled chewing movements

uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Aggression

bladder pain

blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin

blisters on the skin

bone pain, tenderness, or aching

chest discomfort

cloudy urine

decrease in height

decreased urine output

difficulty swallowing

feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior

feeling that others can hear your thoughts

feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there

hives, itching, skin rash

increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight

increased thirst

irritability

joint or muscle pain

loss of balance control

loss of consciousness

mask-like face

pain in the back, ribs, arms, or legs

pain or swelling in the arms or legs without any injury

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

redness or other discoloration of the skin

seizures

severe mood or mental changes

severe sunburn

shuffling walk

slow heartbeat

slowed movements

slurred speech

sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

stiffness of the arms and legs

swelling of the face, ankles, or hands

swollen or painful glands

tic-like (jerky) movements of the head, face, mouth, and neck

unusual behavior

Symptoms of overdose

Change in consciousness

fainting

loss of consciousness

slow or irregular heartbeat

More common

Belching

body aches or pain

change in vision

congestion

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

hair loss or thinning of the hair

hearing loss

heartburn

impaired vision

lack or loss of strength

loss of memory

problems with memory

seeing double

tender, swollen glands in the neck

uncontrolled eye movements

voice changes

weight gain

weight loss

Less common

Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods

burning, dry, or itching eyes

change in taste or bad unusual or unpleasant (after) taste

coin-shaped lesions on the skin

cough producing mucus

cramps

dandruff

discharge or excessive tearing

dry skin

earache

excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels

eye pain

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

full feeling

heavy bleeding

increased appetite

itching of the vagina or genital area

loss of bowel control

neck pain

oily skin

pain

pain during sexual intercourse

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

passing gas

rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin

redness or swelling in the ear

redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue

sensation of spinning

sneezing

stiff neck

stopping of menstrual bleeding

thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

Incidence not known

Breast enlargement

changes in hair color or texture

discoloration of the fingernails or toenails

increased hair growth, especially on the face

unexpected or excess milk flow from the breasts